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enGazza, Becks, Robinho: 5 huge transfers that werent... but what if they had been? Declan Warringtonthinks Lukas Podolski could have fulfilled his potential at Arsenal had Robin van Persie stayed and the Germans isnt the only what if? story in football...Declan Warringtonhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/gazza-becks-robinho-5-huge-transfers-werent-what-if-they-had-been
Lukas Podolski’s transfer from Arsenal to Galatasaray,though expected, felt very much like a missed opportunity. The Germany forward rarely played to his potential in London – that he left for an initial bargain fee of £1.8m highlights that – but his record of 31 goals in 82 appearances is more than respectable.
The disappointment comes when reflecting that he was recruited at a time when Arsene Wenger had just lost Robin van Persie, who joined rivalsManchester United. But Podolski, rotating in an intelligent, clinical front three alongside a peak Van Persie and/or Theo Walcott, could have thrived in one of the finest Arsenal frontlines since the idyllic days of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
Had Van Persie not inspired United to the Premier League title, Arsenal’s attack could have been good enough to help them have a crack at becoming 2013 champions. Wenger’s transfer model, certainly pre-Mesut Ozil, would have been vindicated and less likely to change in the way it has since, and Sir Alex Ferguson may have been unable to retire given his desire to do so at the end of a successful campaign.
Van Persie, however, went to United. His goals won them the title, Podolski rarely looked comfortable at Arsenal and Ferguson retired a happy man. It was a missed opportunity but not the first of its kind in football, and almost certainly not the last...
Becks joins Barça, brings them down
David Beckham’s transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid was the highest-profile signing of 2003. According to then-presidential candidate Joan Laporta, Barcelona had had a £23m offer accepted for the England captain, but it’s difficult to see who in Spain – beyond Barça’s commercial department – would have benefited from Beckham joining Real’s great rivals.
For a start, it would have meant Ronaldinho – the catalyst for so much of Barça’s success later that decade – would most likely have joined United as his replacement. Exceptional though Beckham was – he was still at his peak and arguably the world’s finest right-sided midfielder – the Catalans' 4-3-3 wouldn’t have suited him, and the 4-4-2 Beckham often excelled in wouldn’t have fitted Barça. In Ronaldinho, they would have missed out on one of the world’s very best players entering his prime. The 2003/04 season, after all, was when Barça re-established themselves as major contenders after a period of mediocrity.
Had Beckham moved to the Camp Nou – in non-commercial, football terms – Real may have been little worse off: they didn’t win La Liga again until 2007 (a title he largely inspired). The England man wasn’t responsible overall but, judging by results, Beckham’s first three seasons at the Bernabeu were a disappointment.
Gazza meets Fergie... and gets him sacked
One of football's most trotted-out hypotheticals suggests that, had Paul Gascoigne joined Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United instead of Tottenhamwhen leaving Newcastle in 1988, two of the era's greats would have combined to such devastating effect that the midfielder’s career would never have deteriorated in the way it did.
That conclusion, however, overlooks Gascoigne’s troubled character and his alcoholism. Ferguson indulged certain players – Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo – when he felt it was justified, and would have attempted to do the same with Gascoigne.
Yet for all of his brilliance, Gazza would have inevitablylet the Scot down. The off-field misdemeanours of Ravel Morrison and Lee Sharpe were beyond Ferguson’s corrective powers, so why would the inherently flawed Geordie have been any different?
There still would have been a fixture – just not necessarily the 1991 FA Cup Final – in which his recklessness would have led to injury, and the combination of his profile and antics would have intensified the pressure Ferguson was already under.
The likely outcome is that, as with others like Dwight Yorke and Beckham, Ferguson’s patience would havegradually vanished and led to Gascoigne’s sale. If not, United’s drinking culture would have lasted longer and long-term success would have been delayed; Ferguson might not have even lasted to 1990, when Mark Robins’ goal against Nottingham Forest was widely said to have saved him.
David Villa wins Real Madrid the title
David Villa proved the perfect foil for Lionel Messi and Pedro in a delightfully intelligent and fluid front three when he joined Barcelona in 2010. He was such a success that Pep Guardiola’s team reached an even greater level than it had over the previous two seasons, beating a very good Real Madrid to the La Liga title and winning another Champions League trophy so impressively that many considered theirs the greatest team in history.
A year earlier, however, Villa almost joined Real. Strangely, given the money already spent on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka that summer, and later on Karim Benzema, Real were reluctant to pay Valencia’s asking price for the striker, who was known to want a Bernabeu move.
Barça had signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and consequently weren't quite as fluid as they were in the previous season, 2008/09, when Samuel Eto’o was their first-choice frontman. With Villa – then surely the world’s finest finisher – in Manuel Pellegrini'sReal team alongside Ronaldo and Kaka, the Chilean may have gained the additional four points required to win that season’s title (Real finished with 96 points to their rivals' 99). Certainly, Barcelona wouldn’t have emerged as the best team in history the following season.
Robinho joins Chelsea, helps Torres
Robinho’s arrival at Manchester City, on transfer deadline day in September 2008 for a then-British record fee of £32.5m, was the first of many major signings in their brave new world under owner Sheikh Mansour.
The move didn’t work out as Robinho, then 24, would have hoped: among the most talented players in the Premier League, within 18 months it was already clear he had little future at a club he unexpectedly joined when a transfer to Chelsea appeared inevitable.
At that point of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s reign, the Blues appeared serious title contenders, and Robinho’s arrival – where he could have combined with Deco and Joe Cole in a potent frontline behind Didier Drogba – looked as logical as it did exciting.
In his absence – and perhaps because of it – Scolari’s early momentum gradually disappeared to the extent he was sacked in February 2009, Deco disappointed and Cole’s career declined. Roman Abramovich’s ruthlessness is such that Scolari would no doubthave been sacked eventually down the line, but he’d likely have lasted longer with Robinho – one of the world’s great wasted talents – inspiring Chelsea to challenge Manchester United and Liverpoolfor the 2009 Premier League title. Fernando Torres, who later disappointed after joining Chelsea in January 2011 for £50m, may also have thrived alongside the Brazilian.
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featureThu, 09 Jul 2015 18:07:40 +0000Joe Brewin415550 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla still hopeful over Xavi reunion in MLSDavid Villa is hoping for a reunion with former Barcelona team-mate Xavi in MLS, when the midfielders contract expires.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-hopeful-over-xavi-reunion
The 33-year-old hopes Xavi will join him in the US, and maybe in New York, rather thanchoosing to head to the Middle East – with Al Sadd already heavily linked with a move.
"Yes, we have talked about it [moving to MLS] but he is now at Barcelona," said Villa.
"He still has another year of contract. I don't ask him a lot on his future plans and if he tell me it's not normal I made them public.
"Xavi would be suitable in any competition or club all over the world. I am sure everyone of MLS would welcome him nicely.
"Obviously, I would like to have him here but it's just a wish. There are several times in this life you wish something and not always can be done.
"Therefore, it's not something which I can deal with. Hopefully, he will come here but if not, I wish him the best for his future because he is a big friend of mine and a great football player."
news_articleThu, 26 Mar 2015 16:34:05 +0000Anonymous366907 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla laments heat after New York City drawNew York City captain David Villa blamed his teams pre-season trip to Manchester for their poor start to the MLS season on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-laments-heat-after-city-draw
Jason Kreis' new team travelled from Florida to sister-club Manchester City in England and back to the United States in South Carolina in the month leading up to their maiden MLS campaign.
New York finally made their debut on Sunday away to Orlando City and Villa claimed he and his team-mates struggled with the heat in Florida.
The temperature was approximately 25 degrees Celsius with 50 per cent humidity at kick-off at the Citrus Bowl.
"We did some nice work but we didn't start well due to the cold weather conditions in our pre-season training. We struggled with the heat here," Villa said after the match.
"We got better throughout the game and it's a shame we couldn't hold on. Orlando put in a good performance, there was just a few minutes to go and they scored from a deflection."
Orlando dominated the first half on Sunday, taking seven shots to New York's three, although the teams could only manage one effort on target between them - from the home side's captain Kaka.
But as the match wore on, the visitors started to find some rhythm, with Villa teeing up Mix Diskerud for the opening goal in the 76th minute.
Disappointingly for the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward, however, Kaka's deflected free-kick secured a point for Orlando in stoppage time.
"We played a good team that had a good fan-base and a good turnout," Villa said.
"Obviously it's a shame at the end that it didn't work out. But now we need to turn our focus to the next game, it's going to be a historic [home] game at Yankee Stadium."
news_articleMon, 09 Mar 2015 06:49:38 +0000Anonymous357693 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla backs Lampards Manchester stayNew York City star David Villa is unfazed by Frank Lampard remaining on loan at Manchester City, but admits in an ideal world the Englishman would be with the MLS outfit.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-backs-lampards-manchester-stay
Villa was on the scoresheet as City claimed a 2-0 friendly win over St Mirren in their first ever competitive game on Tuesday.
Manchester City's Academy Stadium hosted the clash, but Lampard – the MLS team's other marquee signing – was in Stoke preparing for a Premier League clash.
Villa said it was best for the City Football Group to have the former England international helping Manuel Pellegrini's men challenge for the title.
"It would have been great if he was here now, but obviously for the football club the best thing is for him to stay in Manchester," the Spaniard said.
"We are only going to be focused to work hard so that when he joins in July, we can be a team that is really good and he can only improve us."
New York City coach Jason Kreis believes the club's fans will eventually move on from the Lampard saga.
But he is eager to see a broader focus on his team, not just their two star signings.
"I think at the end of it all when everybody is calmed down and settled down a little bit that everybody can forgive and forget," Kreis said.
"It's my dream really that at some point very quickly the fans of NYC aren't talking about the individual players, I'm hopeful they understand that this is about a team, it isn't about David Villa or Frank Lampard or Jason Kreis.
"This is about a squad and a club and what we can do for the community."
news_articleWed, 11 Feb 2015 01:56:53 +0000Anonymous341470 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla thankful for A-League experienceRumours David Villa walked out on Melbourne City have little substance if the Spanish superstar himself is to be believed.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-talks-league-experience
Former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker Villa was announced as a City guest player to great fanfare earlier this year, only for the World Cup winner to leave Australia after playing just four matches for John van 't Schip's team.
With his body language questionable after successive defeats to end his brief cameo, reports circulated that Villa had opted to accelerate his departure for New York City at short notice, publicly citing family and commercial considerations.
However, speaking at a kit unveiling in the United States this week, the 32-year-old talked up the time he spent Down Under.
"It was a great experience and also convenient as I missed competing," he said.
"Training is fine but I missed playing and competing. They [Melbourne City] treated me perfectly. I'm so pleased for that and in sporting terms it was a good opportunity for me."
Asked how he had spent his time in the 'Big Apple' so far, the ex-Valencia man said: "There have been three main things. I've trained a lot, I have been taking English classes to try and get better at the language, and I've been enjoying and getting to know the city with my family."
City though will have to wait for news of Villa's potential return to the A-League in December, with no official word yet on whether or not he will rejoin Melbourne City as mooted by the club.
news_articleFri, 14 Nov 2014 04:34:12 +0000Anonymous286800 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSimeone expected Atletico departures in summerDiego Simeone was not surprised that several of Atletico Madrids first-team stars left the club in the last transfer window.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/simeone-expected-atleti-exits
Simeone masterminded Atleti's first La Liga title since 1996 last season andended the domestic stronghold of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, that did not stop the likes of Diego Costa and Filipe Luis from departing the Vicente Calderon, the duo opting to joinChelsea.
Thibaut Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge after a three-year loan, while David Villa alsoleft the club.
Atletihead coach Simeone expected there to be changes at the clubdue to the financial strength of other teams.
"I wasn't surprised because we were a team that exploded last year and there are clubs with more economic power than us," hetold Cadena SER.
"They have the ability to choose the players they want and that's OK. A lot people get confused by saying it's unfair that they have to leave, but that's the nature of this profession.
"It's alright for anybody to want to grow as afootballer elsewhere, so it's neither good nor bad."
Simeone insists that he is gets additional motivationby the changes to his squad.
"You have to assess them on how they performed when playing for your team," he added."All of them, from Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa, Filipe,those of them who decided to leave behaved like men and professionals.
"But it's a situation that motivates me twice over and makes me come alive. It's good to see new faces arrive.
"That's not to say we wanted Costa to leave, but what can you do? You stop living off your memories then go and win the Supercopa against Real Madrid, which is what I prefer."
news_articleThu, 30 Oct 2014 11:40:49 +0000Anonymous278026 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMelbourne City confirm Villa departureMelbourne City confirmed star David Villa will leave Australia after the fourth round of the A-League season, with a return date in doubt.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/melbourne-city-confirm-villa-departure
The capture of the Spanish forward on a temporary basis from parent club New York City FC was heralded as a major coup for the revamped franchise, despite his stay being limited to the maximum 10 games allowed for a 'guest' player.
However, it has now been revealed Villa will be unavailable for at least several weeks from November 1 onwards when he travels to New York to fulfil marketing and commercial obligations, as well as helping his family to settle in the United States.
"We would obviously want a player of his calibre to represent the club in as many games of the guest allowance as possible between now and the commencement of MLS pre-season training in January," City said in a statement published by News Corp.
"The precise number of A-League games that David will play will be determined by the best interests of the player and his now New York-based family and the prioritisation of the requirements of both New York City FC and Melbourne City FC.
"That means that his playing and training schedule will be the product of all of those factors and subject to ongoing assessment."
City will reportedly seek to secure Villa's return in time to finish his guest stint in the second Melbourne derby of the season on December 20, with the Spaniard unlikely to stay for the home match against Perth Glory six days later.
news_articleTue, 21 Oct 2014 23:51:15 +0000Anonymous272754 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla excites Melbourne City team-matesMelbourne City captain Patrick Kisnorbo can already see why star loan signing David Villa has mixed with the best.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-excites-melbourne-city-team-mates
Villa trained with City for the first time on Monday after arriving from parent club New York City ahead of his 10-game loan stint in Melbourne, and Kisnorbo said the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker quickly showed his quality.
Apart from sprinting drills, Villa completed a full session at La Trobe University and will train on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the hope of proving his fitness to coach John van 't Schip.
Both Van 't Schip and New York City football operations director Claudio Reyna told Goal on Tuesday that if Villa puts his hand up to play, he will be involved when the A-League club face Sydney FC on Saturday night, and Kisnorbo claimed it will be a sight to see.
"His first touch is amazing, he creates his own space, I don't want to reveal too much but, yeah, you can see why he mixes with the best," the central defender told Goal.
Kisnorbo admitted the rest of the City squad were a bit like fans when Villa arrived.
"I think the excitement was there. You know, we have a player amongst the playing group who's won a World Cup, won a European Cup, all-time leading goalscorer for Spain," he said.
"I think the excitement of that alone, you know, we're a fortunate bunch of guys to have that and we're fortunate to have him in our playing group."
Reyna said "it'll be very hard to hold [Villa] back" this week with the 32-year-old striker desperate to return to competitive action after over three months since his last proper match - Spain's final World Cup encounter in Brazil against Australia.
Villa had a good night's sleep on Monday night - a good sign as he attempts to overcome jet lag.
"It's really a coach's decision, as well as how David feels... but David wants to play, he's a competitor... and I think we're definitely going to see some minutes of David Villa playing on Saturday," Reyna said.
Kisnorbo added the arrival of Villa - so soon after Alessandro Del Piero and Shinji Ono departed the A-League - is just another step in the right direction: "I think it's just great for the game in general, that a person of his stature is here in Australia, playing our great game."
news_articleTue, 07 Oct 2014 02:52:06 +0000Anonymous264543 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla ready to make Melbourne City debutDavid Villa believes he will be ready for the opening round of the A-League, while Melbourne City coach John van t Schip is also confident.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-ready-melbourne-city-debut
Van 't Schip declared Villa looked "really sharp" at his first training session with City on Monday and gave the strongest hints yet that the 32-year-old will make his debut away to Sydney FC on Saturday.
The Spanish striker has been training with a group of players at parent club New York City for the past month and appears set to play a part at Allianz Stadium in just five days' time.
"I feel good, I feel prepared," Villa said via a translator.
"I've been working hard. I obviously had a break [after the World Cup], my last game was the Spain-Australia game but then I took the usual summer break that every player takes.
"But I've been working hard and I've been training to be ready and I hope to be ready for the game."
Van 't Schip has been reticent to commit to any timeline in regards to Villa's potential debut for City throughout the pre-season but, at the Spaniard's unveiling, the Dutch coach made his most convincing statement yet that Spain's all-time leading goalscorer will debut in the first round.
Following his commitments with Spain at the World Cup at the end of June, Villa took a break before starting his pre-season preparation with New York City's strength and conditioning coach.
And since the early part of September, Villa has been involved in small group sessions with New York City coach Jason Kreis and that preparation appears to have paid off.
"This morning he looked already really sharp and fresh," Van 't Schip said.
Villa insisted he did not need to arrive any earlier in Melbourne due to the "constant communication" between all parties involved in the City Football Group, who own Manchester City, New York City and Melbourne City.
"This is not something we started doing last week, it's been going for months and, well, I have a week ahead to get acquainted better," the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker said.
But it remains clear that Villa's involvement in the A-League over his 10-game stint will not simply be decided by Van 't Schip with New York City set to keep a keen eye on their prize investment.
"The most important thing, it all has to work out for everybody in a good way," Van 't Schip said.
"If David is fit and feeling good - and of course, we'll have communication with each other - then it's normal he's going to be playing a big part in the games that we can have him.
"But just now to say whether if I'm going to put him in the [starting] line-up or on the bench [against Sydney] … if we put him on the bench we'll have a reason and the most important thing is that it's going to be a good thing for all of us."
news_articleMon, 06 Oct 2014 05:22:58 +0000Anonymous264178 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla may miss league opener for MelbourneDavid Villa arrives in Australia on October 7, but Melbourne City coach John van t Schip is unsure if the star will be ready for round one.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-may-miss-opener-australia
While Villa has been training with a personal trainer and New York City's fledgling squad, it remains unclear whether he will be sharp enough to take part in Melbourne City's maiden A-League match away to Sydney FC on October 11.
The Spaniard's first official appearance for City will be at the launch of the 2014-15 A-League season, which will be held in both Melbourne and Sydney on October 7.
But Villa declared he will be all about the business of on-field performance once he begins training with Van 't Schip's squad.
"The overall goal is to help the team perform well while I am there," the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward said in a statement.
"Support the Melbourne City team, build relationships, enjoy the style of football the league [in Australia] has to offer and, obviously, I want to do my job well and help Melbourne City to win as many games as possible."
As part of Villa's loan deal from New York to Melbourne, the decorated striker can only play 10 A-League matches.
But speaking to SEN 1116 on Tuesday, Van 't Schip said Villa may not even play that many if it is believed he is not ready.
"It will be a challenge," Van 't Schip said.
"It's part of the deal we have with the City Football Group [who own Manchester City, New York City and Melbourne City] and with David Villa and we all know that, and we're not making a problem of it because when you get a player like David Villa in, first of all we have to see … where he is at with his physical level and we have talks, of course, with his personal trainer, and he's been training for weeks in New York.
"So when he comes over, we're quite sure he's going to be at a high level. But then again we still have to see at that moment [how he is]."
Villa is just one of the high-profile players City have signed ahead of their first A-League campaign, with ex-Hull City attacking midfielder Robi Koren signed as a marquee, while former Chelsea winger Damien Duff is also part of Van 't Schip's squad.
Van 't Schip would like to sign another defender but conceded it could be difficult due to a lack of salary cap space.
"We can't … in one year, build a totally new team," the Dutch coach said.
"So it's going to cost time to really get to where we want to. We got some players in for the defence - Connor Chapman unfortunately has been sick [with glandular fever] for the whole pre-season, he's a very talented young defender.
"We have some issues that we still want to get somebody in for the defence but it's not going to be easy because of the salary cap."
news_articleMon, 29 Sep 2014 23:28:12 +0000Anonymous260950 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla wants to leave legacy in New YorkDavid Villa is determined to be remembered in New York long after he retires following his high-profile transfer to the MLS.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-wants-leave-legacy
Villa was the first player to sign for incoming MLS franchise New York City, penning a three-year deal ahead of the club's inaugural season in 2015.
Spain's all-time leading goalscorer arrives in the United States on the back of Atletico Madrid's triumphant 2013-14 La Liga campaign.
And the 32-year-old is relishing the opportunity to make his mark in MLS alongside team-mate Frank Lampard, having won every trophy on offer in Spain, as well as the UEFA Champions League.
"I've done a lot in Europe already, a very good career; an opportunity to start from zero, to start over again is something I thought was exciting," Villa told reporters on Thursday.
"I want to leave a winning legacy.
"One of hard work and dedication so people remember the name David Villa."
Villa will link up with Melbourne City, who are also bankrolled by Premier League champions Manchester City, on loan until December before returning to New York for the club's debut season.
news_articleFri, 01 Aug 2014 01:53:24 +0000Anonymous222396 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla realistic over retirement plansSpains David Villa has refused to rule out the chance of extending his international career despite acknowledging the prospect as unlikely.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-realistic-over-retirement-plans
Villa is his country's record goalscorer and looks set to have capped his Spain career with a goal,having scoredthe opener in Monday's final FIFA World Cup group gameagainst Australia.
That was his 59th strikefrom 97 caps and the 32-year-old cut an emotional figure as he watched the remainder of the match from the bench after being substituted in the second half.
Villa completed a move from Atletico Madrid to New York City in the MLS recently and will spend a brief period with A-League outfit Melbourne City to maintain match fitness ahead of the franchise'sdebut campaign.
However, he warned of a need forrealism around whether he can continue to play on, with theformer Barcelona man strongly hintinghe could opt for retirement.
"I've always said that I love the national side and I've always dreamed about them," he told the Spanish press.
"I'd play until I'm 55 but it isimpossible and you have to be realistic. I've taken the decision to go to the MLSand I'll not compete for a few months,which makes it difficult to carry on.
"Then,after these six months,we'll see. If the boss wants me back,brilliant,but it's difficult and we have to be realistic."
Defending champions Spain exited the tournament in Brazil at the group stage following defeats to the Netherlands and Chile, with the 3-0 win over Australia offering scant consolation.
news_articleTue, 24 Jun 2014 13:25:47 +0000Anonymous199635 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla signs off in style, holders depart with a smile: how Stats Zone saw Australia 0-3 SpainWorld Cup holders Spain bowed out of the tournament with a comfortable victory over Australia. FFTs Gregg Davies analysed it live using Stats Zone...Gregg Davieshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/villa-signs-style-holders-depart-smile-how-stats-zone-saw-australia-0-3-spain
Vicente del Bosque rang the changes for this dead rubber against Australia, also eliminated after two games. Seven alterations from the defeat to Chile saw David Villa handed a start his final international outing alongside Fernando Torres and Santi Cazorla in attack, with Koke in midfield after an impressive cameo in the defeat to Chile. The Socceroos brought Oliver Bozanic and Adam Taggart into their XI at the expense of Mark Bresciano and suspended Tim Cahill.
This 'meaningless' contest began at a decent pace with both sides keen to end their campaigns on a winning note. Australia were looking to do damage on the flanks, predominantly through Jason Davidson and Matt McKay down the left, while Villa was patrolling the left side for Spain and looking to cut inside.
McKay was the best passer of the game after 16 minutes as he tried to make inroads out wide.
But as the half-hour mark approached Spain's passing game was starting to influence proceedings. Jordi Alba worked Matt Ryan with a fierce drive in the best opening of the afternoon so far.
And it was no surprise to see Villa help make the breakthrough. The Atletico Madrid forward had been heavily involved down the left, but the goal came from the opposite flank; Juanfran driving forward and crossing for Villa to convert with a classy flick.
By half-time the Spanish were on top, responding to the Socceroos' 1 early shot with 5 of their own.
Without the banned Cahill, Australia were struggling to make their crosses count. In the group opener against Chile, the Aussies connected with 8/19 centres into the box, but in the first half here just the 1 found its target. Spain, meanwhile, weren't finding anyone with their crosses, with Diego Costa left on the bench.
The influence of Xabi Alonso, potentially making his final international outing, and Alba grew as the first period progressed. At the interval, the duo were the leading two players on the pitch for passes, ball recoveries and interceptions.
Coach Ange Postecoglou made a change ahead of the restart, replacing ineffective frontman Taggart with Brisbane Roar's right-sided attacker Ben Halloran. Mat Leckie moved into a more central attacking role as a result. And only 10 minutes of the second half had elapsed when the curtain came down on Villa's international career; Spain's all-time scorer (59 goals in 97 appearances) leaving the pitch in tears as Juan Mata took his place.
Neither side were having much success going forward in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
But one defence-splitting pass from Andres Iniesta (comfortably the game's best passer after 68 minutes) was all that was needed to put the game beyond Australia's reach; Fernando Torres staying onside and coolly slotting the ball home.
The stuffing well and truly knocked out of them, Australia looked a tired side for the final 20 minutes. Del Bosque brought on Mata, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva during the second half and two of them combined to add a third goal late on; Cesc's chipped pass allowing Mata to nutmeg the goalkeeper.
The Aussies were no match for Spain after half-time, as La Roja's passing machine moved through the gears, completing twice as many attacking passes than the Socceroos in the second period.
All 3 of Australia's second-half attempts were from long range and of no concern to goalkeeper Pepe Reina. In fact, they failed to register a shot on target in a World Cup match for only the second time in their history; the other time in 1974 against East Germany
Spain were busy in the tackle and successful, winning 75% of the 36 they attempted in Curitiba, while the Socceroos won just 10 out of 20.
Alba was a standout performer down the left flank. The Barcelona full-back was second in the passing chart behind Iniesta, but made more ball recoveries (14), won more tackles (5/5) and completed more interceptions (6) than anyone else on the pitch.
Facts and figures
Australia have only 1 one of their 8 World Cup games against European opposition (2-1 vs Serbia in 2010), losing 6 (D1).
Spain scored 3 goals from just 4 shots on target against Australia.
David Villa is Spain’s top scorer at the World Cup with 9 goals in 12 games, 4 more than any other Spanish player. Indeed, Villa has scored in each of the last 3 World Cup finals.
Australia have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 World Cup matches.
No player has provided more assists for Spain at the World Cup (since 1966) than Cesc Fabregas (3).
Australia’s Matthew Spiranovic completed all 38 of his passes against Spain.
Australia have conceded 2 or more goals in 6 of their 8 World Cup matches against European opposition.
Fernando Torres scored with his first shot on target of the World Cup; having played 123 minutes.
It’s the first time in 12 World Cup matches that Spain have scored 3 goals in a game.
Analyse Australia 0-3 Spain yourself using Stats Zone
featureMon, 23 Jun 2014 18:00:00 +0000Gregg Davies198988 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comTop 10: Goals of South Africa 2010The finest goals of 2010, graded by a frankly agog Nick Moore...Nick Moorehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/top-10-goals-south-africa-2010
10. Siphiwie Tshabalala, South Africa vs Mexico
The glorious start that World Cup 2010 deserved: a wonderful game in front of an excitable Soccer City throng, and an opening goal that would barely be bettered during the following few weeks.
Tshabalala, winning his 50th cap, pounces on an excellent through ball from Teko Modise to whack home precisely from range. “Goal for South Africa… goal for all Africa!” yelled Jon Champion bafflingly as the Bafana Bafana performed a curious variation of the Macarena (not to be confused with the Maracana) and a million vuvuzelas parped.
9. Luis Suarez, Uruguay vs South Korea
Funny to think that not many British football fans had an opinion on Luis Suarez as this game kicked off, beyond knowing that he was a useful forward for Ajax and the Celeste: one game before his naughty handball helped send Ghana home and eight months before his move to become the most loved and loathed man in the Premier League, Suarez showed his class with this outstanding piece of play.
He cuts around two Korean defenders and curls the ball round Jung Sung-Ryong superbly to win the second-round match – and celebrates by vaulting a row of startled photographers.
8. Keisuke Honda, Japan vs Denmark
Carlos Tevez and Mesut Ozil scored brilliant open-play long-rangers during 2010, but for our money this incredible free kick from the bleach-blond CSKA Moscow playmaker trumps them both.
It’s a frankly implausible place from which to go for goal, a good 30 yards out and only 10 or so inside the touchline – but with the precision of a superpowered Japanese Jonny Wilkinson, Honda arcs the effort delightfully over Thomas Sorensen.
7. Sulley Muntari, Ghana vs Uruguay
Asamoah Gyan did the most damage for the Black Stars in South Africa, but Muntari’s hit was the best effort: smashed from fully 40 yards, he was certainly allowed too much time by a Uruguay side leading 1-0 and already braced for the half time whistle – but it’s still miraculous that the former Pompey man managed to beat Fernando Muslera from such range.
Pretty much forgotten post-match following Luis Suarez’s handball shenanigans, it deserved to be the strike that helped put Ghana through to the semis.
6. Lukas Podolski, Germany vs England
If there was one moment in the Three Lions’ Bloemfontein nightmare that illustrated how comprehensively they were being outclassed by Germany, it was this. A supremely confident and technically excellent passage of football, it begins with a cool dink from the outside of Miroslav Klose’s boot, scuttled onto by Thomas Muller, who squares neatly to the advancing Podolski. The Bayern Munich man fires through David James’ legs to double Germany’s lead. Shambolic defending can only be partly blamed.
5. Fabio Quagliarella, Italy vs Slovakia
Logic dictates that from 25 yards, the only way to beat a keeper is through velocity – but Quagliarella instead chooses to use a brilliantly cocky piece of finesse, lofting the Jabulani like a backspinning sand wedge over backtracking Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha. It counted for nought, though, scored in added time with the Azzurri trailing 3-1; the World Cup holders were already on the plane home following three risible group performances.
4. David Villa, Spain vs Honduras
Everyone points to Spain’s patient possession game when talking about their World Cup 2010 triumph, but not all their strikes were dot-to-dot: this one was the result of a decent long ball upfield and brilliant solo run by Villa, who scored five of Spain’s seven goals en route to the final.
There are three Hondurans well placed to stop him when he receives the ball, but he ghosts past the first two before cutting inside the third and creating enough space to ram home while he collapses on his backside. Poker-faced coach Vicente del Bosque reacts like he’s received some vaguely sad news.
3. Maicon, Brazil vs North Korea
It’s easy to say that a goalkeeper who concedes from this angle is out of position, but poor Ri Myong-Guk can hardly have expected what occurred here: it’d have taken a busload of Paolo Maldinis and Peter Schmeichels to block Maicon’s narrowly angled bullet from virtually level with the goal line.
A wonderfully measured pass from Kaka allows the full-back to stay onside while bombing past the entire North Korea defence. With the ball surely going out of play, the Inter man buries it inside the far post. Some may argue that it was a desperate cross that got lucky – but Maicon maintained afterwards that he meant it.
2. Diego Forlan, Uruguay vs Germany
Headers aside, bouncing a ball in off the ground is a real rarity in the great goal stakes, but 2010’s player of the tournament, Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, knew exactly what he was doing here, smashing a waist-height volley downwards around his marker and into the net.
Hans-Jorg Butt can only stand there helpless and hopeless: a shame such a great moment was “wasted” on international football’s most pointless fixture, the World Cup third place play-off.
1. Giovanni van Bronkhorst, Holland vs Uruguay
One of the great goals of the tournament, in one of the great games of the tournament, by one of Holland’s greatest ever players – turning out in his 105th match for the Oranje. The defensive midfielder only grabbed a handful of strikes in his international career, but this one will linger long in the memory.
A country mile from goal, in an area where only a cross makes real sense, captain Gio whips the controversial Jabulani hard and true into the top corner, helping to secure Holland’s first appearance in a World Cup final since 1978.
More from World Cup 2010
featureTue, 10 Jun 2014 22:11:00 +0000Gary Parkinson190042 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDuff joins David Villa at Melbourne CityDamien Duff became the latest player to join the Melbourne City revolution on Tuesday, signing a one-year deal at the A-League club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/duff-joins-villa-melbourne-city
Having left Fulham on a free transfer following their relegation from the Premier League, Duff has been recruited by City under the salary cap, meaning speculation will continue over potential high profile arrivals at the club.
John van 't Schip's team, who will be able to call on the services of David Villa before he joins New York City FC for the 2015 MLS campaign, are yet to announce their international or domestic marquee players for the 2014-15 season.
They also have one further spot for an overseas player to be paid under the cap.
Duff, who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea and earned 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland, left Fulham at the end of last season after five years at Craven Cottage.
The 35-year-old also played for Newcastle United for three years after leaving Chelsea in 2006.
"We're excited to have a player of Damien's quality and experience for this season. We believe he can offer international standard quality on the pitch and will also be a great professional example for our younger players," Van 't Schip said in a statement.
"His career speaks for itself. He has achieved almost everything at club level and has been a great player at an international level too. He comes to us straight from the English Premier League with Fulham, so he has been playing at the highest level against top teams and top players.
"When we met with Damien, he was excited about the opportunity here and keen to work with us to help make this project a success."
City also announced they have re-signed promising duo Stefan Mauk and Ben Garuccio until 2016 and 2017 respectively.
news_articleTue, 10 Jun 2014 06:10:57 +0000Anonymous189581 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com